MINGORA: Adviser to the prime minister and PML-N leader Engineer Ameer Muqam on Wednesday inaugurated work on Bahrain-Kalam Road in Bahrain though members of the Senate standing committee on communication were scheduled to do the job today (Thursday).

The road construction will be completed in three months at a cost of Rs480 million.

Officials of the NHA including general manager and project director, PML-N district president Qaimoos Khan and other office-bearers were also present on the occasion.

Ameer Muqam later told a public meeting in Bahrain that Rs4 billion development funds had lapsed during the ANP government in the province.

He said the PML-N government in the centre was committed to resolving the problems of the people of Kalam and other adjoining areas on priority basis.

The adviser said reconstruction of Madian grid station would begin shortly after Eidul Fitr and that he would ensure that the project is completed in the minimum possible time.

Says reconstruction of Madian grid station to begin after Eid

He said he had fulfilled his promise about provision of the 1326MVA heavy transformer to Khwazakhela grid station.

“We are not only making promises but also we keep our problems,” he said.

IDPS SHIFTED: Over 80 displaced families from North Waziristan have rented houses in different areas of Swat.

Nafidullah, 25-year-old resident of Darpakhel Miramshah, said his family had covered a long distance by foot from North Waziristan to Swat as no transport was available.

He said as Bannu, Peshawar and other southern districts of the province were in grip of severe heat, his family had chosen Swat for stay.

“We’ve rented a house in Saidu Sharif,” he said.

Another internally displaced person from Dattakhel area of North Waziristan, Ahmad Khan, 18, said 53 members of his family had gone to Kohistan Gatt area of Saidu Sharif.

He said his family had got a house on rent for four months.

“The military operation has forced us into fleeing our homes,” he said.

Masood Khan of Darpakhel said he along with other members of family were living in a rented house in Rahimabad locality of Swat district.

He said he was a tailor in his native town.

“Though we face several problems, locals are very kind and hospitable towards us. We don’t feel away from home at all,” he said.

The IDP asked the government to provide food items to IDPs living in Swat.

Meanwhile, cheques were distributed to 16 displaced families during a function in Mingora city on Wednesday.

The money was raised by welfare organisations.

Each family was given Rs8,000.

Organiser of the function Ahmad Shah said they would continue their activities to collect donations from locals and distribute them among the IDPs families, which were residing in different parts of district Swat.

Swat assistant commissioner Ashfaq Khan said the district administration would work in coordination with NGOs to provide all possible relief to IDPs of North Waziristan.

“We have already sent two truck relief goods to Bannu for IDPs,” he said.

He said after some displaced families shifted to Swat, the administration wrote to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority for relief goods and cash.

Published in Dawn, July 10th , 2014